Biotransformation and biodegradation of organic nitrogen compounds from wastewater in bio-electrochemical systems. The rapid emergence of water recycling in Australia requires more vigilant control of pollutants that are discharged to sewers. This project will develop a novel, cost-effective process to remove organic nitrogen compounds (and likely other organics) present in many industrial wastewaters. It could provide an excellent solution for the pre-treatment of such industrial wastewaters at ....Biotransformation and biodegradation of organic nitrogen compounds from wastewater in bio-electrochemical systems. The rapid emergence of water recycling in Australia requires more vigilant control of pollutants that are discharged to sewers. This project will develop a novel, cost-effective process to remove organic nitrogen compounds (and likely other organics) present in many industrial wastewaters. It could provide an excellent solution for the pre-treatment of such industrial wastewaters at the source without any chemical addition, hence reducing the challenge and risks facing the water recycling plants. This innovative technology will further expand the growing research capacity and know-how in water recycling in Australia.Read moreRead less
A landfill cover that generates electricity: a Microbial Fuel Cell application. Landfills account for over two per cent of Australia’s greenhouse emissions, dominating emissions from waste and wastewater. Methane emissions are inherent to landfills because waste cannot be permanently sealed until a landfill cell is full. In this project, a microbial fuel cell (MFC) landfill cover will be developed as a means of achieving full biogas capture, from the time that waste is placed. The MFC cover syst ....A landfill cover that generates electricity: a Microbial Fuel Cell application. Landfills account for over two per cent of Australia’s greenhouse emissions, dominating emissions from waste and wastewater. Methane emissions are inherent to landfills because waste cannot be permanently sealed until a landfill cell is full. In this project, a microbial fuel cell (MFC) landfill cover will be developed as a means of achieving full biogas capture, from the time that waste is placed. The MFC cover system would consist of a relatively thin and deformable granular graphite layer colonised by current generating methane oxidising microorganisms, overlain by a proton exchange membrane and steel mesh as the anode layer. The MFC cover will provide the benefit of power generation as well as more complete greenhouse gas mitigation. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150100393
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$335,000.00
Summary
Reducing nitrous oxide emission in wastewater systems by pathway regulation. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas that can be produced during biological nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment systems. N2O emissions primarily occur in aerated zones due to active striping, and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) are the major contributors to N2O production under such conditions. The project aims to carry out a systematic study on N2O production by AOB in mixed culture wastewater treatment ....Reducing nitrous oxide emission in wastewater systems by pathway regulation. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas that can be produced during biological nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment systems. N2O emissions primarily occur in aerated zones due to active striping, and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) are the major contributors to N2O production under such conditions. The project aims to carry out a systematic study on N2O production by AOB in mixed culture wastewater treatment systems. The project aims to advance the fundamental knowledge on N2O production pathways by AOB under different operational conditions, and deliver a modelling tool for reliably estimating N2O emission from wastewater treatment systems as well as strategies to reduce the emissions.Read moreRead less
Adaptation of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) to Climate Change, Changing Transport Patterns and Urban Form. This research will (a) provide guidance on future adaptations of stormwater quality infrastructure, (b) provide better scientific understanding of pollutant movements in urban systems and (c) provide methodology to 'future proof' infrastructure design against the pressures of climate change and urban population growth. Project outputs will (a) enable water-sensitive urban designs to b ....Adaptation of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) to Climate Change, Changing Transport Patterns and Urban Form. This research will (a) provide guidance on future adaptations of stormwater quality infrastructure, (b) provide better scientific understanding of pollutant movements in urban systems and (c) provide methodology to 'future proof' infrastructure design against the pressures of climate change and urban population growth. Project outputs will (a) enable water-sensitive urban designs to be applied reliably and (b) minimise the cost of re-building assets before the end of their design life due to climate change. The ultimate benefit is the reduction in water pollution from roadways leading to improved human and ecosystem well-being of urban communities.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101401
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
A novel autotrophic biological nitrogen removal process driven by ammonia-oxidising archaea and anammox bacteria. This project will provide fundamental support to the development of more sustainable nitrogen removal processes. This would bring considerable benefits to the Australian wastewater industry and could potentially influence the way that biological nutrient removal plants are designed and operated.
Unravelling the dynamics of nitrous oxide production in wastewater systems. This project aims to unravel the dynamics of Nitrous oxide (N2O) production in wastewater treatment systems by combining continuous stable isotope tracing techniques with innovative experimental design and sophisticated mathematical modelling. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas and a major contributor to the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment systems. Yet we have a poor understanding of how it is produc ....Unravelling the dynamics of nitrous oxide production in wastewater systems. This project aims to unravel the dynamics of Nitrous oxide (N2O) production in wastewater treatment systems by combining continuous stable isotope tracing techniques with innovative experimental design and sophisticated mathematical modelling. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas and a major contributor to the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment systems. Yet we have a poor understanding of how it is produced in such systems. The outcomes of this project will benefit Australian water utilities by helping them to reduce N2O emissions.Read moreRead less
Production of valuable chemicals from gaseous waste. This project aims to develop an innovative biotechnology to enable the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) available in waste gases into liquid chemicals. This will create strong economic drivers for carbon-intensive industries to implement CO2 capture and utilisation, by significantly increasing the value of otherwise wasted CO2. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, this project will substantially advance the scientific knowledge in this excit ....Production of valuable chemicals from gaseous waste. This project aims to develop an innovative biotechnology to enable the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) available in waste gases into liquid chemicals. This will create strong economic drivers for carbon-intensive industries to implement CO2 capture and utilisation, by significantly increasing the value of otherwise wasted CO2. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, this project will substantially advance the scientific knowledge in this exciting and underexploited area of biological carbon recycling. The outcomes of this project will enable the establishment of a new CO2-based biotechnology sector creating high-value chemical products from waste gases, while also support achieving national target of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.Read moreRead less
Mega spatial-scale, multi time-scale, ensemble assessment of climate change driven coastal change in South Eastern Australia. Climate change driven variations in mean sea level, storm surges, and waves will change the world's coastline. This project will, for the first time, develop innovative modelling methods to quantify the integrated impact of these climate drivers on coastal erosion along Australia's most developed and populated coastline: Sydney to Brisbane.
Optimising permeable pavements with underlying reservoirs to enhance urban tree performance. This project will determine the optimal configuration of permeable pavements with underlying storage reservoirs and water delivery system to resolve the water security challenges that trees face in urban environments. This project will promote the healthy growth of urban trees and will lead to more liveable and healthier cities.
Understanding Fugitive Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Wastewater Systems for Reliable Accounting and Effective Mitigation. Climate change caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one of the most serious challenges facing mankind. Substantial reductions in emissions must be achieved, with responsibility shared by all industrial sectors. Wastewater systems contribute to GHG emission through not only energy consumption but also direct emissions of fugitive GHG such as methane and nitrous oxide. T ....Understanding Fugitive Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Wastewater Systems for Reliable Accounting and Effective Mitigation. Climate change caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one of the most serious challenges facing mankind. Substantial reductions in emissions must be achieved, with responsibility shared by all industrial sectors. Wastewater systems contribute to GHG emission through not only energy consumption but also direct emissions of fugitive GHG such as methane and nitrous oxide. This project aims to deliver the urgently needed knowledge and technology support to the Australian wastewater industry to achieve reductions in fugitive emissions. The research will also provide support to the greenhouse office via more reliable estimation of such emissions.Read moreRead less